The Habitat for Humanity of Pope County is exceeding its expectations.

The organization had the goal of building one house per year, but now the construction of two houses is underway.

Standing next to the first Habitat for Humanity house, built on the 800 block of 6th Street in Russellville, the framing of the two houses are up and covered with messages from construction workers and volunteers.

Becca Anderson and her two daughters, Emma and Emily, were selected for one of the two houses under construction. Anderson moved to Russellville in 2008 and serves as the worship leader at Fellowship of Christians. She has a degree in theology and biblical studies and is employed by the Russellville School District to work with special-needs students. Anderson also gives piano and vocal lessons.

Anderson's house is sponsored by Dow Chemical Company of Russellville. Russellville Site Director at Dow Chemical Company and board member of Habitat for Humanity Bert Fleck said his company is excited to sponsor another Habitat for Humanity house.

"After such a great experience with the first Habitat build in Pope County two years ago, Dow Chemical Russellville is proud to support another build with a $25,000 donation," Fleck said. "It’s a pleasure for us to not only contribute funds and employee volunteers to help make this project possible but also the products that will reduce energy consumption, helping make this home affordable for a family in our community.”

Stacy Nason, her son Skylar and her mother Sheila Dowdy were selected for the second house under construction. Nason is a single mother raising her 9-year-old son, who attends Sequoyah Elementary. She has worked at Newton's Soda Shop for the past seven years.

Nason's house is sponsored by the Williams family. Using a challenge grant, Jane Williams and Anne Rye, daughters of Martha and Robert Hays Williams, matched funds up to $30,000 for the house. The community raised $30,000 and the sisters donated the money in honor of their parents, who believed the strength of the community could be measured by its weakest link, Habitat for Humanity Public Relations Director Cheryl McCormick said.

"Anne and Jane have followed their parent's example of rolling up their sleeves to serve their communities," McCormick said. "The two sisters have joined forces not only to raise funds to help a young family purchase a home of their own but to grab a hammer and raise the walls and lay the roof and shingles."

McCormick said the largest portion of the money needed to build the two houses came from community support.

"The heart of this community is the reason these local families will realize their American dream of owning a home," McCormick said. "Too many people to mention continue to pray and to contribute their time, money, labor and resources. Every donation, no matter how small, moves construction one step closer to a finished home."